One Goal, Dull Affair - Blackhawks 1 - Lightning 0 (OT)

I watched Tampa Bay's OT win against the Winnipeg Jets last night, and hot dog, it was a humdinger! This one, not so much. It actually reminded me a lot of the last 3 Stanley Cup Final games, which the Hawks won 2-1, 2-1, and 2-0. Those were defensively conservative, low scoring, BORING, playoff hockey games. Games 4 and 5 were won on a single 3rd period goal, and then Crawford and the D shut it down. The only reason it seemed riveting was that the stakes were so high, playing for the cup and all. I honestly can't recall much about the last few games except Duncan Keith's goal in Game 6 and the celebration afterwards.

The stakes were not that high tonight, and the Blackhawks pulled out a win in overtime on a terrific individual effort by Jonathan Toews, who managed to nudge one in off his own rebound, just 17 seconds in. The rest of the game played like an exhibition soccer match. There were some oohs and aahs, but no excitement and relief in the form of goals. Sweet, precious goals!


Delicious Cake

-The Hawks Defense. Holding Tampa Bay to only 21 shots by adhering to Q's defensive scheme proved to be the deciding factor, helping Crawford earn his 1st shutout since game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals.


Wheeeeee!




So-So Soup

-Ryan Garbutt. Someone must've slipped some Adderall in Ol' Butt's cornflakes, because he was showing zip that wasn't there before. He had 6 shots on goal, leading the team.  Definitely his best game this season.

Side note: Ryan Garbutt looks like he has just murdered, or is thinking about murdering at all times. I searched Ryan Garbutt on Google Images and these were among the first dozen or so that came up...


Murder


Thinkin' bout murder


Just made a murder


Expired Tuna Salad

-Vinnie Hinostroza. He's not exactly bad, but no one was bad last night. I just don't know what he brings to this Hawks team. He's the type of player that should be in the AHL, developing his game, not taking up a valuable roster spot. Then again, nobody fucking knows who should be playing on the 3rd line. I think the 3rd line is haunted, you guys. 


Noticeably Unnoticed Award for Excellence in Impalpable Impact

-Trevor Daley. Among all Hawks defensemen, he had the least amount of ice time, and that includes David Rundblad, who sat in the penalty box for 4 minutes, because he's a doofus.


Final Thoughts:
So far, the Hawks have played exactly zero teams from the Western Conference. Starting tomorrow, the Hawks will face the cream of the Western Conference crop, although Anaheim looks like shit so far. They're playing as dazed as they did in the last 2 Conference Final games, but if anything can turn them back on, it's playing the team that fucked them last year.

The Hawks play the Jets in Winnipeg on Thursday, and I can't wait for that one! The Jets are the most entertaining team in hockey right now. I've watched their last 2 games. They have a brutal finesse about them, and I can't look away. They also have serious discipline issues and take dumb penalties as if it were their birthright. This just makes them more fun to watch. Oh, and I still have a soft spot in my heart for Dustin Byfuglien, even though he's a knucklehead.